Sky Sports pundit criticises Aston Villa as Unai Emery 'to blame' for Tottenham thumping

Sky Sports pundit Sue Smith believes Unai Emery's tactical change was to blame for Aston Villa's heavy 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon. Smith, a former England Women's international of 93 appearances, admits John McGinn's red card didn't help Villa's case but the game was already out of reach due to Emery's tactics.

It was a fairly balanced contest in the first 45 minutes at Villa Park but Spurs ran rampant at the start of the second period, scoring twice before the hour mark through James Maddison and Brennan Johnson. McGinn was then sent off for a reckless kick on Destiny Udogie, allowing Ange Postecoglou's men to attack with more freedom and add two more to their tally.

"They changed system, I think it's the first time this season they've used a 5-3-2 or 3-5-2 - whatever you want to call it - and I just thought they were a little passive. Maybe it was more of a cautious approach," Smith told Sky Sports on Monday morning.

"You can understand why Emery tried to do it because they wanted to dominate the midfield areas as that's where Tottenham try to make it more compact. You think leaving the two up top with Watkins and the way Bailey has been playing, the pace and quality they've got they'd back themselves. But they couldn't because Tottenham were so good defensively.

"That first half was probably quite even but the second half, when they concede two quick goals like that then they get a player sent off, it was always going to be an uphill battle. I want to praise Tottenham but I think Aston Villa trying the new system didn't work for them," Smith continued.

Emery has lined up his team in a similar fashion on other occasions this term, with a back four often transitioning to a three in possession. The difference against Spurs was a back five off the ball - and when players were caught out of position on the transition it opened things up for the visitors.

Villa have a good opportunity to respond on Thursday night as they host Ajax in the second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League round of 16. A trip away to West Ham United then awaits on Sunday, before most of the squad can have a rest over the international break.